The Charlottesville 29

If there were just 29 restaurants in Charlottesville, what would be the ideal 29?

Tag: Al Carbon

Five Finds on Friday: Mark Benusa

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Mark Benusa, co-founder of Fine Creek Brewing Company, which is joining an elite group of artisans next month for Field Day at Blenheim Vineyards. April 8 from 12 – 5pm, there will be tacos by Tyler’s Meats N’ Such, wine by Blenheim, beer by Fine Creek and music by Erik “Red” Knierim. Advance tickets are just $15 and get you two tacos and a glass of wine or beer. Get yours here. Or, if you can’t make that, check out Fine Creek’s Wild + Weird Festival April 22. Benusa’s picks:

1) 80 Shilling Scottish Ale at Decipher Brewing. “The last couple of times I’ve gotten together for beers with my ‘dad’ friends, we’ve met at Decipher Brewing. The guys at Decipher are hands down brewing some of the best beers in town. The 80 Shilling Scottish Ale is incredible. The perfect combination of malty and drinkable. Decipher has plenty of great options on tap, so it’s saying something that I went back for pint #2 of this delicious brew. Especially for someone who is constantly trying new beers.”

2) Cinnamon Roll from T’s Sweetz at IX Art Park. “With such a mild winter, my family and I have been lucky to make it out to the IX Market on several Saturday mornings this season. A few weeks ago, we bought our 5-year-old twin boys a cinnamon roll from T’s Sweetz. This thing was not only colossal but delicious. The kids loved it. The best part was, it was so large, their scavenger dad got to polish off the bit they couldn’t finish.”

3) Chiles Toreados y Cebollitas at Al Carbón. “Al Carbón is one of our go-to family take out spots. It’s one of those rare finds that easily pleases the whole family. One of our favorite sides they have are the Chiles Toreados y Cebollitas. The dish consists of whole chiles and green onions grilled to be crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Salty and sweet, this dish is a palate-pleasing addition to what is always a tasty meal. Now that we’ve found out they deliver, we plan on ordering a lot more often.”

4) Burger and Beer at Mount Ida Reserve. “With a new baby at home, date nights with my wife are unfortunately few and far between. However, we’ve discovered the next best thing which has proven to be easier to achieve: the lunch date! On Valentine’s Day last month, we wanted to do something different and get out of town. We decided to head south down to Mount Ida Reserve Tasting Room & Taphouse. We each got a different burger and beer to try: classic smash for my wife and feisty bull for me, paired with a Festbier and Marzen. Both burgers and beers were phenomenal. And the views were just as good. Taking in the long view of the mountains with a satisfying burger and beer, we felt like we really got to escape, even though we still had a two-month old on our laps.”

5) Crispy Fish with Green Onion at Taste of China. “Chinese, and Szechuan specifically, is one of our favorite take out options on those occasions when we’re looking for some heat. While we do frequent Peter Chang’s, we were turned on to another great option farther north: Taste of China. Don’t let the basic name fool you, these folks have some complex and unique dishes. One we love is their Crispy Fish with Green Onion. Salty filets of crispy fried fish are tossed with chili powder and cumin and topped with cilantro.  Once you’ve tasted these perfectly fried bites, I guarantee you’ll crave them like we do.”

#3: Cemita de Milanesa de Res y Chorizo – Al Carbon

When faced with a decision between two desirable options, I rely on advice from my father: “Why not both?”

The advice has resulted in eating dinner at two restaurants on the same night, as well as a cocktail that marries a Boulevardier and Negroni: a Dad’s Counsel. I also draw on the wisdom when ordering a sandwich at a Mexican restaurant. Typically, more that one of the menu’s fillings appeals to me. So, I ask nicely for two.

Al Carbon is widely known for its Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, marinated in spices and then roasted over coals in an oven imported from Peru. But owners Myriam and Claudio Hernandez hail from Mexico, and it is their Mexican street food that is particularly inspired. Especially the cemita, a sandwich from Claudio’s native region of Puebla. On a round sesame seed roll, Al Carbon piles high heaps of shredded Oaxacan cheese, avocado, adobo chipotle peppers, red onions, a slice of ham, and the filling of your choice. Milanesa de res is an excellent option: beef pounded thin, breaded and fried. Also delicious is Al Carbon’s house-made chorizo. But, best of all is to follow Dad’s counsel and combine them both. The result is a sandwich as flavorful as any in town. 

#3: Cemita de Milanesa de Res y Chorizo – Al Carbon
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches

Vegetarian Alternative: Vegetarian Cemita at Al Carbon

Five Finds on Friday: Claudia Cruz

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Claudia Cruz of Dulce De Leche. Among the silver linings of the pandemic, Dulce De Leche is a delivery-only bakery offering “handmade Peruvian sweets.” As Cruz works on her elementary education degree and cares for her two young boys, COVID-19 prompted her to launch her own business. Customers may order on Facebook or Instagram, or by texting (434) 989-9036. After sampling her baked goods, James Beard semifinalist Angelo Vangelopoulos of Ivy Inn pronounced: “Soooo good.” Cruz’s picks:

1) La Familia Chicken from Al Carbon. “It is very nice to choose for the whole family. We usually order La Familia size chicken after having a long day from work. It reminds us of our rotisserie chicken from back home, Peru.”

2) East Coast from Burger Bach. “When looking for a place for a good burger there is no doubt there are multiple places in Charlottesville, but my favorite burger is located here. The flavors of this sweet and salty burger are out of the world. Not to mention with my favorite cheese, brie, mixed with my favorite fruit, blueberries. Say no more, I will be there in a blink of an eye if possible.”

3) Shrimp Tacos from Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant (UVa location). “I’m kind of embarrassed to say but I don’t venture out with tacos, I only order shrimp tacos in every Mexican restaurant. Therefore, the shrimp tacos from this restaurant are absolutely amazing, with fresh cabbage and crème cilantro lime sauce. Delish.”

4) Shrimp Tempura Sushi from Snowfox Sushi (Inside Kroger, Barracks Road). “It’s a little-known secret but the sushi in Kroger is actually made by franchise owners of Snowfox Sushi. This means that the sushi chefs are free to get creative and bring their knowledge when it comes to making the best sushi possible. One of our best friends owns this location and is one of the best sushi chefs we have ever met.”

5) BLT on Everything from Bodo’s. “Nothing like a good bagel with hot coffee to start your day. We enjoy this Charlottesville staple very much. No matter how long the line is, it is worth the wait.”

Pionono. A soft, rolled cake filled with dulce de leche, traditionally sold on the streets of Peru.

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